Lo-fi survival horror fans, mark your calendars: Heartworm officially releases on Steam July 31, 2025. Developed by solo creator Vincent Adinolfi in collaboration with indie horror champions DreadXP, this much-anticipated title has already earned critical attention through “Best of PAX” shoutouts and Steam Next Fest highlights.
A moody, atmospheric dive into the shadowy space between reality and the surreal, Heartworm is a heartfelt tribute to the golden era of psychological horror that knows exactly what made games like Silent Hill and Resident Evil so timeless.
In Heartworm, players step into the grief-wracked mind of Sam, a young woman mourning the loss of her grandfather. Her search for meaning and closure draws her to an eerie mountain home she discovers through a string of obsessive internet rabbit holes. What starts as a desperate pilgrimage for answers quickly spirals into a nightmarish descent where memories twist into monsters.
The game’s retro PSX-style visuals and customizable gameplay (including optional tank controls and modern input tweaks) create a flexible yet nostalgic experience. Sam’s primary “weapon” is a camera, used to confront supernatural threats in tense, sparse encounters.
Game Features:
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A journey through grief and loss within retro-inspired atmospheric environments
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4-6 hours of gameplay with multiple endings
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Both pre-rendered and in-game cutscenes
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A focus on exploration with classic puzzles, and limited combat using a camera as a weapon
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A modern control scheme with 3rd person over-the-shoulder aiming and optional classic tank controls
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Optional pixelation and retro effects calling back to the first 3D console era for a more authentic experience
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A haunting original soundtrack
Adinolfi, a Connecticut-based solo dev and multidisciplinary artist, has poured years of care into this debut project. Backed by the publishing power of DreadXP, known for The Mortuary Assistant and Sucker for Love, Heartworm will hopefully arrive with a professional polish.
The free demo is available now on Steam. You can watch the release date trailer below, and let us know what you think when Heartworm finally launches at the end of this month.
